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June 26, 2012

Book Review: Ape House by Sara Gruen

You may know of Sara Gruen by her popular novel, which was also adapted into a movie, "Water For Elephants." But this author is no one hit wonder. She has once again delivered an amazing book with "Ape House."
Isabel Duncan has been working with a group of bonobos at the Great Ape Language Lab for eight years when a bomb destroys the facility, injuring Isabel and terrifying the apes. When a suspected terrorist group claims to be responsible, the apes are sold to a high-paying businessman who plans to exploit the apes for human entertainment. When Isabel hears the news she makes it her mission to find the apes and save them from this exploitation, enlisting the help of John Thigpen, a married journalist, to get to the bottom of the shady business deal and to expose the story.

I absolutely loved this book! I read "Water For Elephants" and loved it, and I knew I had to read the rest of Gruen's novels. I'm happy to say "Ape House" lived up to all my expectations. The story was well thought out, and every question that was raised was answered. I've got to be honest, I was a little confused at the beginning. A lot of names were thrown out at once, and it was hard to keep everything straight for the first few chapters, but after I figured out how the book was written I couldn't get enough. Gruen threw in so many twists and curve balls, which kept my attention and interest after every page. I haven't been this captivated by a book in a long time. I felt a personal connection to the characters, and I had to know what was going to happen for my own well-being. Just ask my mom. I had to vent to her after every chapter to calm my nerves!

One thing I really like about Sara Gruen is that she does her research before writing a book. Even though she writes fiction, a lot of her stories are based off facts, and much of "Ape House" is based off her personal encounters with bonobos. This book is at the top of my book recommendations list. It is definitely worth the read. Buy it, read it, love it!